Time management

There are two ways to improve your performance.

But did you know that you can do 100 things that are right, and still mess up the whole deal by doing ONE thing that is wrong.
I call this the "One bug rule".

How many bugs do you need to find on your plate, to put you off the whole meal?
Answer: one

How many affairs does the man need to be caught having, before he wrecks his chances with his wife?
Answer: one

How many 'o' rings seals needed to fail to cause the Challenger space shuttle to explode?
Answer: Sadly, only one

One thing can be enough to spoil your chances of winning.

And the same holds true in time management.
So I would like to make a list of easy, common errors; errors that, if you repeat them, will be enough to mess up your effectiveness.

They are as follows:

Distracted mind

Untidiness

Starting too many things at once

Sloppy language

Procrastination

Over / Under confidence

1. Distracted mind

A distracted mind is one that cannot focus on one task long enough to make measurable progress, before it is flies off and thinks of other things.
As a consequence, such minds flit from one thing to another, and make minimal progress.
The secret to beating this phenomenon is to take a piece of paper and write, in large letters, the task you are on now.
Get to work and, behold, within fifteen minutes you may have drifted off the task!

Remember, unless the task is finished, all the time invested is so far is useless.
Focus your mind and keep it there until the job is done.

Time Management Training

Most people feel they need help with time management. How can you get more done in the same amount of time? How can you stop other people wasting your time? If you want to know how, then click here to find out more about our time management training course.

2. Untidiness

Untidiness leads to inefficiencies because you won't be able to find what you are looking for.
Nor will anyone else.

You might claim that the mess is "creative chaos" and that, really, you "know where everything is" but don't kid yourself. You don't.
Apply the disciplining of putting things back in their proper place.

3. Starting too many things at once

The error is as follows;
You first start one task. That reminds you of a second task, that necessitates you call John, who reminds you about the third task.
As a result, you end up trying to do three things at once, and end up doing none of them well.

The answer is to clarify your priorities and to focus on the most valuable items.
Focus on them to the exclusion of the others and make progress.

4. Sloppy language

Vague, sloppy language will cause you to waste time on misunderstandings.
Vague communications will be misinterpreted and will result in one of you doing the wrong thing.

To fix this error; get into the habit of using numbers: integers: digits: in your communication.
Rather than saying "See you later" say "See you at five".

Rather than saying "Send it to me, as soon as you can" Say "I need it by six PM".
Use numbers to tidy up your language.

5. Procrastination

Procrastination is the error of putting off those things you should do, because you don't want to do them.
This one error is enough to terminate your chances of winning.

The correction is to reverse the trend.
Say to yourself and others; "I will do all the things I know I should do, even if I do not want to"
This one change is enough to multiply your effectiveness by 150%.

6. Over / Under confidence

Confidence is good, but only in the correct amounts.
Too much confidence will cause you to tackle the wrong things that could lead to wasting time.

Example: Many people spent too long trying to change base metals into gold.
It is a complete waste of time.

On the other hand: Not enough confidence will cause you to miss an opportunity.

Example:
The head of Decca Records told The Beatles manager, "Guitar groups are on their way out Mr. Epstein."

Don't let your heart rule your head:

Do : "Think it thorough"

Don't: "Feel your way"

Good time management comes from applying the logical mind, not following your mood.

Summary

Increase the number of good and right things that you do.

Decrease the number of errors, and bad things that you do.

Focus your mind and keep it there until the job is done.

Apply the disciplining of putting things back in their proper place.

Clarify your priorities.

Use numbers to tidy up your language.

Do the things you know you should do, even if you do not want to do them.

FREE Training Needs Analysis!

In order to get the best from your training, you need to discover your relative strengths and weaknesses.
Take our FREE training needs analysis questionnaire now and get a report in less than five minutes!

Email this page to a friend

Blog Email Subscription

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain articles 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
If you wish to sign up for this, please click here.